In order to solve difficulties for the first metro line Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, deputy chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen has required HCMC Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) to fully prepare documents related to total investment capital adjustment according to the Politburo’s conclusion in December last year.

Before the Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival wrapped up, staff and cadres at HCMC Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) had returned to work with the high determination of solving identified difficulties, completing 80 percent of Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line project by the end of this year and preparing for implementing many new metro projects.

HCMC Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) has committed to closely working with contractors, consultant firms and relevant agencies to solve congestion in efforts to speed up the progress of the first metro line project, Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, and make sure the project to be done in 2020.

The People’s Committee of HCMC has assigned the Department of Internal Affairs to work with relevant agencies to review responsibilities and propose appropriate handling form to individuals and teams relating to wrongdoings in the first metro line project of the city, Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, according to conclusions by the State Audit Office of Vietnam.

Construction businesses are expected to work at the highest intensity after Tet Holiday in pursuit of opening Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, the first metro line project in HCMC, to traffic by 2020, said newly appointed head of HCMC Urban Railway Management Board Bui Xuan Cuong on January 14.

The Ministry of Transport is now asking relevant ministries and agencies’ opinions about the first metro line project of HCMC, Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, after the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam warned of construction halt due to late payment to contractors and consultant.

The second metro line project of HCMC, Ben Thanh-Tham Luong, has continued running behind schedule because sluggish site clearance has raised costs and affected the project’s progress, according to Urban Railway Management Board.

HCMC has asked the Government to advance VND1 trillion from the state budget for underfinanced Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro project and long waited for approval. Meantime the project itself now has an available capital of the same amount but complicated administrative procedures have prevented it from using the funds.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has required HCMC to urgently send to the Ministry of Transport a document on adjusting the total investment capital of two urban railway projects in the city to organize assessment.